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He explained: “It was the same thing at Hull (as in the other games) - we started really well, should have been ahead, yet ended up losing 2-0.”

And referring to missed penalties by himself and new recruit Sam Vokes in Stoke’s last two games, he added: “We could have the same situation over 100 times and every other time the penalties hit the back of the net.

“It is just one of those things, I think, because had we scored them then both matches could have ended entirely differently."

“But when you are on a run like we are at the minute, with a real lack of confidence around the place, then these things happen.

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Hull City 2, Stoke City 0 - the fallout

Clucas added: “We missed a penalty, we had an effort bounce off the bar and straight into the path of their goalkeeper and numerous other situations which just went against us.

“It is disappointing, but we can’t really put our finger on a certain thing. It is what it is and it just isn’t going for us at the moment, so we have got to keep working as hard as we are on the training pitch and hope it turns around.

“We know we have the talent, the desire and drive, so we have to keep plugging away and turn this situation around and hopefully string four or five wins together from somewhere.”

Stoke are next in action at tea-time on Saturday when they take on West Brom at home in a televised clash at the bet365 Stadium.